The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL kvirgil@tribunemedia.net THE surgeon that attended a prisoner who died after spending months in the Princess Margaret Hospital told the Supreme Court yesterday the main cause of death was the diminishing condition of his pancreas. Corporal Donovan Gardiner has been charged manslaughter in the 2008 death of Desmond Key, who the prosecution alleges was severely beaten while in police custody. Constable Tavares Bowleg is accused of abetment in the case. During cross-examination by defence attorney Wayne Munroe, Dr Duane Sands said 28-year-old Desmond Key's pancreas was severely diseased and inflamed. Admitting that the cause of the ailment could have been a number of factors, Dr Sands said the medical team, which he headed, used a process of elimination to narrow down the causes of Key's condition. The list of the possibilities included high alcohol intake and blunt force trauma, he said. Mr Munroe further questioned Dr Sands on the likelihood of persons who are heavy drinkers developing pancreatitis. Dr Sands said that a small number of such persons do develop the disease. The doctor said that the victim was also plagued by a number of other conditions resulting from his pancreas, including a leakage of the fluid contained in the organ. Parts of his pancreas were also dying and ultimately became infected, he said. Key, said Dr Sands, was later operated on to drain his abdomen of the toxic fluids and placed in the Intensive Care Unit. The victim later bled into shock and never regained neurological function. Dr Sands said the victim's prognosis remained poor as there was no sign of recovery even after he was transported to the US for further medical attention. Ultimately, the complications of Key's pancreatitis was the cause of his death, Dr Sands said. Testifying to Key's condition after his death, forensic pathologist Karen Sands said he had a decreased brain size, heavy lungs, and a loss of muscle mass - of which she attributed to the condition of his pancreas. When asked by Mr Munroe if she discovered any fractures in the victims chest or skull, Dr Sands replied, "No". The trial resumes today at 11am in the Ansbacher House courtroom on Bank Lane before Justice Vera Watkins.